User interface systems for sterile fields and other working environments

ABSTRACT

User interface systems for sterile fields and other working environments are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a user interface system can include a projector that projects a graphical user interface onto a data board or other substrate disposed within a working environment. The system can also include a camera or other sensor that detects user interaction with the data board or substrate. Detected user interactions can be processed or interpreted by a controller that interfaces with equipment disposed outside of the working environment, thereby allowing user interaction with such equipment from within the working environment. The data board can be an inexpensive, disposable, single-use component of the system that can be easily sterilized or another component suitably prepared for use in a sterile field.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/001,182, filed Jun. 6, 2018. U.S. application Ser. No. 16/001,182claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/516,897, filedJun. 8, 2017. The contents of each of these applications areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

User interface systems for sterile fields and other working environmentsare disclosed herein, e.g., for allowing interaction with equipmentdisposed outside of the working environment from within the workingenvironment.

BACKGROUND

Computer systems, mobile devices, electronics, and other equipment havebecome a common part of our everyday lives and use of such equipment hasbecome a valuable tool in many medical, commercial, and industrialprocesses. Use of such equipment can be challenging in certain workingenvironments.

In a surgical operating room, for example, it can be important tomaintain a sterile field to reduce the risk of patient infection orother complications. Any equipment that is to be used in the surgerymust be sterilized before being brought into the sterile field, or mustremain outside of the sterile field. Some equipment, such as electronicdevices, can be prohibitively difficult, expensive, or time-consuming tosterilize. These issues can be avoided by keeping the equipment outsideof the sterile field, however doing so makes it challenging for thosewithin the sterile field to interact with the equipment.

For example, a surgeon in the sterile field cannot simply reach out andturn a knob, press a button, or touch a touchscreen of a non-sterilepiece of equipment. Rather, the surgeon must typically provide verbalinstructions or gesture to an equipment operator outside of the sterilefield, who then performs the equipment interaction desired by thesurgeon. This exchange can be distracting for the surgeon, who mustmomentarily turn their attention away from the task at hand. It can alsobe frustrating for all involved, for example if the equipment operatoris not as adept at using the equipment as the surgeon is, or if theequipment operator misunderstands the surgeon's request. In someinstances, the surgeon leaves the sterile field in order to interactwith a non-sterile piece of equipment. The surgeon must then go throughthe cumbersome procedure of re-sterilizing hands, gloves, clothing,etc., before reentering the sterile field. Even when proper proceduresare followed, leaving and reentering the sterile field can increase therisk of contamination. Exemplary equipment that is typically disposedoutside of the sterile field and with which the surgeon may wish tointeract can include surgical navigation systems, PACS (picturearchiving and communication systems), cameras, electrosurgicalgenerators, infusion pumps, vacuum valves, music players, and the like.

Even equipment with which non-contact use is possible, such as anelectronic display screen, can be inconvenient to use from within thesterile field. For example, the surgeon may need to turn their head toan uncomfortable position, or look away from the patient or thesurgeon's hands, in order to view the display screen.

While a surgical operating room environment is described above, it willbe appreciated that these challenges can be present in many otherworking environments, such as decontamination rooms, wet environments,clean rooms, areas with high humidity, dust, vibration, radiation,chemicals, temperature extremes, pressure, electromagnetic interference(EMI), electrostatic discharge (ESD), and/or other harsh environments.

In view of these and other challenges, there is a need for improved userinterface systems for sterile fields and other working environments.

SUMMARY

User interface systems for sterile fields and other working environmentsare disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a user interface system caninclude a projector that projects a graphical user interface onto a databoard or other substrate disposed within a working environment. Thesystem can also include a camera or other sensor that detects userinteraction with the data board or substrate. Detected user interactionscan be processed or interpreted by a controller that interfaces withequipment disposed outside of the working environment, thereby allowinguser interaction with such equipment from within the workingenvironment. The data board can be an inexpensive, disposable,single-use component of the system that can be easily sterilized. Thedata board can be free of electronics or other components that may besensitive to conditions within the working environment, or to procedures(e.g., sterilization) required to prepare the data board to enter theworking environment (e.g., a sterile field). In other embodiments,however, the data board can include electronic components (e.g., e-paperscreens, liquid crystal screens, tablet computers, etc.) suitablyprepared for use in a sterile field.

In some embodiments, a user interface system can include a cameraconfigured to capture images of a working environment in which asubstrate is disposed; a controller that determines, from the capturedimages, a position and orientation of the substrate within the workingenvironment and changes in said position and orientation; and aprojector that projects a projected image onto the substrate, theprojected image or the location of the projected image being adjusted bythe controller in response to changes in the determined position ororientation of the substrate; wherein the controller further determines,from the captured images, whether and how a user is interacting with thesubstrate.

The working environment can include a sterile field in a surgicaloperating room. The substrate can include a data board. The data boardcan include a unique identifier. The data board can include a positionmarker. The data board can include static, non-projected user interfaceelements. In some embodiments, the data board does not includeelectronics. The substrate can include a skin surface of a patient, aglove, or a sterile dressing. The substrate can include a surgicalinstrument. The projected image can include an indicator as to whetherthe surgical instrument is disposed along a predetermined trajectory.The projected image can include an indicator as to whether the surgicalinstrument or a portion thereof, or an implant connected thereto, isadjacent to or within a delineated proximity to a predetermined surgicalsite. The projected image can include a graphical user interface. Theprojected image can include a camera feed from a camera inserted into apatient through an access device. The projected image can includedisplay of information, including warnings or error messages in someembodiments. The projected image can include a display of, orinformation received from, a piece of controlled equipment. Thecontroller, responsive to user interaction with the graphical userinterface, can control equipment disposed outside of the workingenvironment. The controller, responsive to user interaction with thegraphical user interface, can control equipment disposed within theworking environment.

In some embodiments, a user interface method can include capturing oneor more images of a working environment in which a substrate isdisposed; determining, with a controller, a position and orientation ofthe substrate from said one or more captured images; projecting aprojected image onto the substrate based on the detected position andorientation; and determining, with the controller, whether and how auser interacts with the substrate based on said one or more capturedimages.

The method can include, with the controller, controlling equipmentdisposed outside of the working environment based on user interactionwith the substrate as determined by the controller. The method caninclude, with the controller, controlling equipment disposed within theworking environment based on user interaction with the substrate asdetermined by the controller. The method can include detecting changesin the position or orientation of the substrate and adjusting theposition or orientation of the projected image accordingly. The userinteraction can include a hand gesture or use of a stylus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a user interface system in use in anoperating room;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary data board of the userinterface system of FIG. 1 and a user interacting with the data board;

FIG. 3 is a schematic hardware diagram of a controller of the userinterface system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the controller of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method of using the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6A illustrates a data board and an associated plane ofvisualization with respect to a patient;

FIG. 6B illustrates adjusting a position of the data board of FIG. 6Arelative to the patient to adjust a position of the plane ofvisualization relative to the patient;

FIG. 6C illustrates a data board and an associated plane ofvisualization with respect to a patient; and

FIG. 6D illustrates adjusting an orientation of the data board of FIG.6C relative to the patient to adjust an orientation of the plane ofvisualization relative to the patient.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

User interface systems for sterile fields and other working environmentsare disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a user interface system caninclude a projector that projects a graphical user interface onto a databoard or other substrate disposed within a working environment. Thesystem can also include a camera or other sensor that detects userinteraction with the data board or substrate. Detected user interactionscan be processed or interpreted by a controller that interfaces withequipment disposed outside of the working environment, thereby allowinguser interaction with such equipment from within the workingenvironment. The data board can be an inexpensive, disposable,single-use component of the system that can be easily sterilized. Thedata board can be free of electronics or other components that may besensitive to conditions within the working environment, or to procedures(e.g., sterilization) required to prepare the data board to enter theworking environment (e.g., a sterile field). In other embodiments,however, the data board can include electronic components (e.g., e-paperscreens, liquid crystal screens, tablet computers, etc.) suitablyprepared for use in a sterile field.

Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide anoverall understanding of the principles of the structure, function,manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One ormore examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices andmethods specifically described herein and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. Thefeatures illustrated or described in connection with one exemplaryembodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary user interface system 100. The systemcan include a projector 102, a camera or sensor 104, a data board orsubstrate 106, and a controller 108. In use, the camera 104 can captureimages of a working environment (e.g., the sterile field of an operatingroom as shown). The controller 108 can detect the data board 106 withinthe captured images and can determine a position and orientation of thedata board within the sterile field. The controller 108 can therebytrack movement of the data board 106 within the sterile field. Informedby this position and orientation information, the controller 108 cancontrol the projector 102 to project an image onto the data board 106.The projected image can move with the data board 106 as the data boardis moved within the working environment. The controller 108 can alsodetect other objects within the captured image, such as a user or aportion thereof (e.g., hands, fingers, fingertips, etc. of the user), asurgical instrument, a surgical implant, a stylus or other instrumentheld by a user, and so forth. The controller 108 can determine from thedetected object information whether and how a user is interacting withthe interface projected onto the data board 106, how an instrument orimplant is being moved relative to a patient, and so forth.

In some embodiments, only the data board 106 is disposed within theworking environment. One or more of the projector 102, the camera 104,and the controller 108 can be isolated from the working environment.Such isolation can be procedural, physical, or otherwise. For example,such components can be procedurally isolated by being disposed withinthe operating room but designated as non-sterile or non-touchcomponents, such that they are not within the sterile field. By way offurther example, such components can be physically isolated from theworking environment, for example by being positioned remotely from theworking environment, by being disposed opposite a physical barrier fromthe working environment, etc.

The projector 102 can be operatively coupled to the controller 108 by aninput port, through which the projector can receive image or videosignals from the controller. The projector 102 can include a lightsource and a lens system for projecting an image onto the data board 106based on the received image or video signals. The projector 102 canreceive control signals from the controller 108 indicating a targetlocation to which the projection should be directed. The projector 102can thus be configured to shift the position and/or orientation of theprojected image based, e.g., on movement of the data board 106 withinthe working environment. The projector 102 can have an adjustable lenssystem (e.g., focal length, lens angle, lens position), can be mountedon a gimbal, gantry, or other movable mounting system, or can beotherwise configured to facilitate aiming of the projected image ontothe data board 106 as the data board moves within the workingenvironment. The projector 102 can be configured to project an imagethat is much larger than the data board 106, and can be controlled toonly activate pixels which correspond to the current location and/ororientation of the data board. In such arrangements, the projector 102and/or the lens system can be fixed within the working environment butcan still “aim” the projected image onto the data board 106.

The camera or sensor 104 can be configured to detect various attributesof the working environment. For example, the camera or sensor 104 can beconfigured to detect the position and/or orientation of the data board106. As another example, the camera or sensor 104 can be configured todetect the position and/or orientation of a user or a portion thereof(e.g., hands, fingers, fingertips, etc. of the user), a surgicalinstrument, a surgical implant, a stylus or other instrument held by auser, and so forth. The camera 104 can capture images of the workingenvironment, which can be communicated to the controller 108 forprocessing to recognize the data board 106, user, or other objectswithin the captured images and to determine based on such informationhow such objects are moving or positioned within the workingenvironment. Any of a variety of cameras or camera systems can be used,including RGB cameras, RGB-D cameras, infrared cameras, stereo cameras,and so forth. Exemplary RGB-D cameras include the Microsoft Kinectcamera and the Microsoft Kinect V2 camera. The camera or sensor 104 canuse structured light, time-of-flight, or other approaches known in theart to determine the distance between the camera and each pixel orregion of the captured image. This information can be combined by thecontroller 108 with recognized object information to determine thedistance between the camera 104 and the data board 106, between thecamera and a user, etc.

The data board or substrate 106 can take various forms and can beconfigured to reflect light projected thereon by the projector 102. Thedata board 106 can be an inexpensive, single-use disposable. The databoard 106 can be flexible. The data board 106 can be formed from paper,plastic, cardboard, metal, or combinations thereof. The data board 106can be capable of efficient and non-destructive sterilization, e.g., viasteam bath, radiation, and other known techniques. The data board 106can be free of electronics in some embodiments, while in otherembodiments electronic components can be utilized (e.g., ranging frommore simple displays such as e-paper displays to liquid crystal displaysand tablet computers).

The data board 106 can be partially or completely transparent. In someembodiments, the data board 106 can include an e-paper or liquid crystaldisplay that can, among other things, allow users to have dynamiccontrol over transparency of the data board 106. This can allow usecases in which the data board 106 is positioned over an item of interestin the working environment (e.g., a patient, surgical instrument, or thelike) and images projected onto the data board provide an augmentedreality or heads-up display effect without significantly obscuring theitem of interest. Once the data board 106 is overlaid over the item ofinterest, the data board 106 can allow active pass-through viewing ofthe data board 106 to observe the item of interest through one or moretransparent sections of the data board 106. In some embodiments, thedata board 106 can outline body structures such as nerves, organs,and/or other items of interest such that when the data board is placedover the body structures, the board can display an outline of the bodystructures while maintaining at least partial transparency so as not toobscure a view of the item of interest.

The data board 106 can be coated with holographic film or can includevarious other surface coatings or treatments to facilitate lightreflection and improved display of the projected image. The data board106 can be freely movable within the working environment. The data board106 can be rested on a patient or other surface in the workingenvironment, or can be mounted on a movable support arm, e.g., an arm ofa surgical robot.

While a dedicated data board 106 is shown, in other arrangements theuser interface can be projected onto other substrates, such as thepatient (e.g., the patient's skin or surgically-exposed anatomicalelements), a surgical drape covering the patient, an instrument (e.g.,held by the surgeon), a glove or gloves worn by the surgeon or otheruser, a sterile dressing, a blue wrap, an implant, an operating table, awhiteboard, or any other surface within the working environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary data board 106 that can be used in thesystem 100.

The data board 106 can include a position marker 110. The positionmarker 110 can be a symbol or image having a known size, shape, or othercharacteristics to facilitate recognition of the position marker incaptured images of the data board 106. While a single position marker110 is shown, the data board 106 can include multiple markers, e.g., oneat each end. Use of multiple markers 110 can improve tracking accuracy,field of view, or redundancy.

It will be appreciated that the structure and operation of the positionmarker 110 can vary depending on the type of navigation system used. Insome embodiments, the position marker 110 can include one or moresphere-shaped or other fiducials for use with an optical navigationsystem, for example, a robotic navigation system. The fiducials can bearranged in predetermined positions and orientations with respect to oneanother. The fiducials can be aligned so as to lie in planes that areperpendicular to one another to set a Cartesian reference frame. Thefiducials can be positioned within a field of view of a navigationsystem and can be identified in images captured by the navigationsystem. Exemplary fiducials include infrared reflectors, LEDs, sphericalreflective markers, blinking LEDs, augmented reality markers, and soforth. The position marker 110 can be or can include an inertialmeasurement unit (IMU), an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer,other sensors, or combinations thereof. The sensors can transmitposition and/or orientation information to a navigation system, e.g., toa processing unit of the navigation system.

The position marker 110 can be detected by a navigation system, cancommunicate with a navigation system, or can be otherwise operablycoupled to a navigation system to allow the position and/or orientationof the data board 106 and the underlying anatomy to be registered withand tracked by the navigation system. The position marker 110 can have aknown location on the data board 106, e.g., known relative to theoverall dimensions or boundaries of the data board. The position marker110 can be asymmetrical, such that an orientation of the position markerrelative to the camera 104 can be determined from a captured image ofthe position marker. The position marker 110 can be adhered to the databoard 106, printed on the data board, or otherwise affixed or applied tothe data board. In some embodiments, the shape of the data board 106itself can serve as a position marker 110 to indicate a position of thedata board. The position marker 110 can be used, as described below, todetermine the position and/or orientation of the data board 106 or totrack the data board within the working environment and/or with respectto the camera 102.

The data board 106 can include a unique identifier 112. The uniqueidentifier 112 can be a QR code, bar code, serial number, ID number, orother marking or tag that uniquely identifies a particular data board ora particular group of data boards. The unique identifier 112 can be anRFID tag readable by the controller 108. The controller 108 canrecognize the unique identifier 112 in captured images of the data board106 and determine from said unique identifier information related to atask being performed in the working environment. For example, the uniqueidentifier 112 can serve as a lookup key which can be used by thecontroller 108 to retrieve information from a database, such as anetwork connected server, cloud storage, and the like. Exemplaryinformation that can be retrieved by the controller 108 based on theunique identifier 112 can include patient name, patient age, patientsex, patient date of birth, patient ID, patient images (e.g.,pre-operative scans, CT, MR, X-ray, or PET images), PACS images,pre-operative plans, surgical inventory lists, surgical checklists ortechnique guides, and so forth. The unique identifier 112 can also beused to determine whether the data board 106 has been used previously,in which case the controller 108 may be configured to deny use of thedata board, thereby enforcing a single-use policy.

The data board 106 can include static or non-projected interfaceelements 114. For example, the illustrated data board 106 includes astatic up/down scroll bar 114. Exemplary static interface elements 114can include scroll bars, buttons, keyboards, trackpads, sliders, radiobuttons, text boxes, check boxes, icons, and the like.

The data board 106 can include projected interface elements 116. Forexample, the illustrated data board 106 includes an image of a “home”button 116 projected onto the data board by the projector 102. Exemplaryprojected interface elements 116 can include scroll bars, buttons,keyboards, trackpads, sliders, radio buttons, text boxes, check boxes,icons, and the like.

The data board 106 can include other projected content 118, such aspatient X-ray images as shown.

The data board 106 can have any of a variety of shapes or contours. Thedata board 106 can have a concavity or convexity. The concavity orconvexity can relate to projector location, e.g., to enhance theprojected image.

The controller 108 can be operatively coupled to the camera 104 and theprojector 102. The controller 108 can detect the data board 106 withinimages captured by the camera 104 and can determine a position andorientation of the data board within the working environment. Thecontroller 108 can thereby track movement of the data board 106 withinthe working environment. Informed by this position and orientationinformation, the controller 108 can control the projector 102 to projectan image onto the data board. The projected image can move with the databoard 106 as the data board is moved within the working environment. Thecontroller 108 can also detect other objects within the captured image,such as a user or a portion thereof (e.g., hands, fingers, fingertips,etc. of the user), a surgical instrument, a surgical implant, a stylusor other instrument held by a user, and so forth. The controller 108 candetermine from the detected object information whether and how a user isinteracting with the interface projected onto the data board 106, how aninstrument or implant is being moved relative to a patient, and soforth. The controller 108 can include a back end that is operativelycoupled to one or more pieces of controlled equipment 120, such that thecontroller can interact with the equipment based on a user's interactionwith the data board 106. Exemplary controlled equipment 120 with whichthe controller 108 can interact can include surgical navigation systems,PACS (picture archiving and communication systems), cameras,electrosurgical generators, infusion pumps, vacuum valves, musicplayers, and the like. The controlled equipment 120 can be disposedoutside of the working environment (e.g., can be procedurally orphysically isolated from the working environment). The controlledequipment 120 can alternatively be disposed within the workingenvironment, or the controlled equipment can include equipment that isdisposed within the working environment and equipment that is disposedoutside of the working environment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the physical components of anexemplary embodiment of the controller 108. Although an exemplarycontroller 108 is depicted and described herein, it will be appreciatedthat this is for sake of generality and convenience. In otherembodiments, the controller 108 may differ in architecture and operationfrom that shown and described here. The controller 108 can be a tabletcomputer, mobile device, smart phone, laptop computer, desktop computer,cloud-based computer, server computer, multiple of the above, and soforth.

The illustrated controller 108 can include a processor 122 whichcontrols the operation of the controller, for example by executingembedded software, operating systems, device drivers, applicationprograms, and so forth. The processor 122 can include any type ofmicroprocessor or central processing unit (CPU), including programmablegeneral-purpose or special-purpose processors and/or any of a variety ofproprietary or commercially-available single or multi-processor systems.As used herein, the term processor can refer to microprocessors,microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, PICs, processors that read and interpretprogram instructions from internal or external memory or registers, andso forth. The controller 108 can include a memory 124, which can providetemporary or permanent storage for code to be executed by the processor122 or for data that is processed by the processor. The memory 124 caninclude read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, one or more varieties ofrandom access memory (RAM), and/or a combination of memory technologies.The various components of the controller 108 can be interconnected viaany one or more separate traces, physical busses, communication lines,etc.

The controller 108 can include an interface 126, such as a communicationinterface or an I/O interface. A communication interface can enable thecontroller 108 to communicate with remote devices (e.g., othercontrollers or computer systems) over a network or communications bus(e.g., a universal serial bus). An I/O interface can facilitatecommunication between one or more input devices, one or more outputdevices, and the various other components of the controller 108.Exemplary input devices include the camera 104, the projector 102, touchscreens, mechanical buttons, keyboards, and pointing devices. Exemplaryoutput devices include the camera 104, the projector 102, electronicdisplay screens, and speakers. The controller 108 can include a storagedevice 128, which can include any conventional medium for storing datain a non-volatile and/or non-transient manner. The storage device 128can thus hold data and/or instructions in a persistent state (i.e., thevalue is retained despite interruption of power to the controller 108).The storage device 128 can include one or more hard disk drives, flashdrives, USB drives, optical drives, various media disks or cards, and/orany combination thereof and can be directly connected to the othercomponents of the controller 108 or remotely connected thereto, such asthrough the communication interface. The controller 108 can include adisplay 130, and can generate images to be displayed thereon. In someembodiments, the display 130 can be a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD),an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). The controller 108 can include a power supply 132 andappropriate regulating and conditioning circuitry. Exemplary powersupplies include batteries, such as polymer lithium ion batteries, oradapters for coupling the controller 108 to a DC or AC power source(e.g., a USB adapter or a wall adapter).

The various functions performed by the controller 108 can be logicallydescribed as being performed by one or more modules. It will beappreciated that such modules can be implemented in hardware, software,or a combination thereof. It will further be appreciated that, whenimplemented in software, modules can be part of a single program or oneor more separate programs, and can be implemented in a variety ofcontexts (e.g., as part of an embedded software package, an operatingsystem, a device driver, a standalone application, and/or combinationsthereof). In addition, software embodying one or more modules can bestored as an executable program on one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable storage mediums. Functions disclosed herein as beingperformed by a particular module can also be performed by any othermodule or combination of modules, and the controller can include feweror more modules than what is shown and described herein. One or moremodules can be implemented by the camera 104, by the projector 102, byanother device, or by combinations thereof.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the modules of one exemplary embodimentof the controller 108.

The controller 108 can include a data board identification module 134.The data board identification module 134 can receive one or morecaptured images of the data board 106 and can recognize the uniqueidentifier 112 of the data board within said images. Alternatively, orin addition, the data board identification module 134 can receive theunique identifier from an RFID reader or other device coupled to thecontroller 108. Once determined, the unique identifier can be used bythe controller 108 to retrieve various information about the data board106, the working environment, or objects within the working environment,as described above.

The controller 108 can include a data board tracking module 136. Thedata board tracking module 136 can determine the position and/ororientation of the data board 106 relative to a reference, e.g., acoordinate system of the camera 104 or a coordinate system of theworking environment. The data board tracking module 136 can determinechanges in said position and/or said orientation.

The data board tracking module 136 can receive images of the workingenvironment captured by the camera 104. The data board tracking module136 can detect the data board 106 or a portion thereof, e.g., theposition marker 110, within the captured images. In a typicalarrangement in which the camera 104 is positioned above the workingenvironment in a bird's eye view, positioning of the data board 106along X and Y axes of the working environment can be determined by thelocation of the data board within the overall captured image.Positioning of the data board 106 along a Z axis of the workingenvironment can be determined based on the distance between the databoard and the camera 104. The captured images can include explicitdistance information, e.g., in the case of images captured by a RGB-Dcamera. In embodiments in which the camera image data does notnecessarily include explicit distance information, the depth can becalculated or inferred by determining the size of the position marker110 or data board 106 within the image, the size or angle of theposition marker's or data board's edges or other features, and so forth.

Pitch and yaw of the data board 106 (e.g., rotation about the X and Yaxes) can be determined by comparing distance-to-camera information formultiple points of the data board image. A difference indistance-to-camera between one region and another region of the positionmarker or the data board image can indicate that the data board 106 istilted towards or away from the camera and the direction of the tilt.Roll of the data board 106 (e.g., rotation about the Z axis) can bedetermined by comparing the 2D orientation of the position marker 110 ordata board 106 in the captured image to a predetermined 2D orientationof the position marker on the physical data board.

The data board tracking module 136 can compare multiple camera imagescaptured over time to determine and track changes in any of the aboveparameters, i.e., changes in the position and/or orientation of the databoard 106.

The data board tracking module 136 can thus track the position and/ororientation of the data board 106, e.g., in real time or substantiallyin real time.

The controller 108 can include a projection control module 138. Theprojection control module 138 can send image data to the projector 102to be projected onto the data board 106. The image data can be adjustedby the controller 108 based on the determined position and/ororientation of the data board 106. Alternatively, or in addition, theprojection control module 138 can send control signals to the projector102 to control the location and/or orientation of the projected image,e.g., to direct the projected image onto the data board 106, to projectthe image onto the data board only, and/or to compensate the projectedimage for any tilt or rotation of the data board relative to theprojector.

For example, when the data board tracking module 136 determines that thedata board 106 has shifted in the X or Y direction, the projected imagecan be shifted to a corresponding degree in the X or Y direction. Asanother example, when the data board tracking module 136 determines thatthe data board 106 has shifted in the Z direction, the projected imagecan be scaled accordingly to match the movement of the data board. Asanother example, when the data board tracking module 136 determines thatthe data board 106 has rotated about the Z axis, the projected image canbe rotated accordingly. As yet another example, when the data boardtracking module 136 determines that the data board 106 has tilted, akeystone correction algorithm can be applied to the image data such thatthe projected image maps accurately to the tilted data board withoutdistortion.

The projection control module 138 can thus maintain an accurateprojected image on the data board 106 as the data board moves in one ormore degrees of freedom within the working environment. The projectedimage can follow the data board's movement in real time or substantiallyreal time.

The controller 108 can include an input detection module 140. The inputdetection module 140 can determine from image data captured by thecamera 104 whether and how a user is interacting with the data board106. For example, the input detection module 140 can use various knownimage processing routines to identify a user or a portion of a user inimages captured by the camera 104. Exemplary image processing routinesinclude edge detection, blob detection, and the like. In someembodiments, the user can wear a glove having a predetermined color orpattern to facilitate identification of the user's finger in capturedimages. In the case of images with explicit distance-to-camerainformation, the input detection module 140 can calculate the differencein distance-to-camera between the user's finger and the data board 106.If the difference in distance-to-camera is below a threshold amount, theinput detection module 140 can determine that the user's finger iscontacting the data board 106. In the case of images that do notnecessarily include explicit distance-to-camera information, the inputdetection module 140 can look for Z-direction movement of the user'sfinger when the finger is superimposed over the data board 106 todetermine that the user is tapping on the data board. Changes in X or Ypositioning of the user's finger while the user's finger is determinedto be in contact with the data board 106 can be interpreted by the inputdetection module 140 as swipe, pinch, drag, or other input gestures.While use of hand gestures to interact with the system are generallydescribed above, it will be appreciated that the user can alternativelyor in addition interact with the system using a stylus or otherinstrument. For example, the user can interact with the system using anyinstrument that they happen to be holding at the time. In the case of adedicated stylus or other instrument for interacting with the system,the stylus or instrument can be disposable or reusable, and can includeelectronics or can include no electronics.

In some embodiments, the data board 106 can be controlled based on aperspective and/or location of a user, e.g., virtual reality tracking.The user can interact with the data board 106 using eye movement orchanges in head position and/or orientation to control a dynamic viewerperspective. For example, a position marker 110 can be secured, placed,or otherwise affixed at a location that is on, or relative to, the headof a user. Movement, tilt, or other changes in position of the head canchange the perspective that the user sees. In some embodiments, changesin head position can control a clipping plane perspective, as discussedfurther below, so as to change the perspective of a two-dimensionalrendering on a screen to appear in three dimensions. Knowing a positionof the patient, the data board 106, and the user's head position, arendered perspective view can allow the user to see a three-dimensionalperspective view of an object of interest, e.g., a patient's anatomy. Insome embodiments, a position marker 110 can be placed on glasses,contact lenses, and so forth to track and/or control a perspective toaccount for eye movement. In other embodiments, one or more cameras canbe used to monitor and track movement of a user's eyes. For example, anyof an RGB and an infrared camera can be utilized to monitor the positionof a user's eyes and direction of their gaze. It will be appreciatedthat changes of dynamic viewer perspective can be tracked for multipleusers by placing position markers on multiple users to track headposition and eye movement. In some embodiments, each such tracked usercan have their own data board 106 with an image projected thereon thatprovides a unique perspective based on their tracked head position, gazedirection, etc.

The controller 108 can include a graphical user interface module 142.The graphical user interface module 142 can generate image datarepresenting a graphical user interface. The image data can becommunicated to the projection control module 138 to be projected ontothe data board 106. User inputs detected by the input detection module140 can be communicated to the graphical user interface module 142,which can apply those inputs to the user interface and update the userinterface accordingly. For example, upon detection of a user's click ortap gesture over a button projected onto the data board 106, thegraphical user interface module 142 can execute an event handlerassociated with the button click, e.g., to display a dialog boxassociated with the button or to control equipment 120 associated withthe button. The graphical user interface module 142 can present userinterface controls for projection onto the data board 106, said controlscorresponding to the controls of equipment 120 to which the controller108 is operatively coupled.

When a user interacts with projected controls, the graphical userinterface module 142 can instruct an output module 144 to interact witha piece of controlled equipment 120. For example, the output module 144can generate a control signal to apply an interaction to equipment 120operatively coupled to the controller 108. For example, the voltage on asignal line can be toggled to effect a setting change on a piece ofdigital equipment 120 to which the controller 108 is coupled, such as anavigation system, PACS, etc.

Moreover, the information displayed on the data board 106 can bedynamically updated based on user interaction with the data board 106(e.g., via menus, etc.) and/or physical interaction with otherequipment, to allow a user to control the equipment through thegraphical user interface projected on the data board. For example, thedata board 106 could be utilized during a setup or calibration procedurefor three-dimensional navigation by showing navigation settings on thedata board 106 for any instrument that a user touches directly orselects in the graphical user interface. Such techniques can apply toinstrument operating parameters as well. For example, when a usertouches a particular instrument or portion thereof directly or in thegraphical user interface (via, e.g., a menu selection or directselection on a projected image of the instrument), various settings forthe instrument can be projected on the data board 106 to allow the userto view and/or adjust such settings. For example, a user might touch adistal portion of a burr tool directly or touch the burr of an image ofthe tool projected on the data board 106 to be presented with adjustablesettings for burr speed, etc. The ability to dynamically displayrelevant data and provide a user control interface on the data board 106(or wherever the interface is projected, e.g., surgical drape onpatient, etc.) can be applied to any instrument utilized in a procedure.This can allow the user to access and adjust settings for any instrumentinside the sterile field.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of using the system 100. In stepS1, one or more images of a working environment can be captured, e.g.,using the camera 104. In step S2, the captured images can be used todetermine a position and/or an orientation of a substrate, e.g., thedata board 106. The position and/or orientation can be determinedrelative to the camera 104, relative to the working environment, orrelative to some other reference frame. In step S3, a projected imagecan be projected onto the substrate. For example, the projector 102 canbe used to project a graphical user interface onto a data board 106. Theprojected image can be moved, scaled, angled, or otherwise adjusted incoordination with the determined position and/or orientation of thesubstrate. In step S4, user interaction with the substrate can bedetermined. For example, the controller 108 can process captured imagesto determine whether the user is interacting with the substrate 106,e.g., by applying a touch, tap, swipe, slide, drag, pinch, or otherinput gesture. In step S5, equipment can be controlled based on userinteraction detected in step S4. For example, the controller 108 cancontrol equipment 120 disposed outside of the working environment basedon user interaction with the projected graphical user interface. In someembodiments, the controller 108 can display errors or warning messagesassociated with the equipment 120 by projecting such information ontothe graphical user interface. In other embodiments, information such aserrors or warnings can be conveyed to a user by projecting patterns orother indicators around the surgical site to ensure notification. Suchnotifications can be accompanied by, e.g., more detailed informationconveyed through the graphical user interface projected onto the databoard 106.

The system 100 can be used in a surgical setting. For example, the databoard can be positioned within the sterile field in proximity to apatient and a surgeon. The surgeon can interact with a graphical userinterface projected onto the data board. The surgeon can scroll or clickthrough different tabs associated with different pieces of controlledequipment. Each tab can include graphical user interface controls foradjusting or interacting with said equipment.

The data board can include a QR code linked to a patient data or PACSsystem. When a fluoro shot or other patient image is captured, it can belinked with the patient data by a patient ID entered into the C-arm orimaging device, and it can be automatically displayed on the data boardfor reference by the surgeon. The surgeon can interact with the databoard to take simple anatomical measurements, such as angularcorrections in spinal surgery. The surgeon can interact with the databoard to manipulate a 3-D data set representation of the patientanatomy. The camera 104 can be used to recognize unique implants withinthe surgical site and the system can link or associate those implants toa patient ID, e.g., in a patient database.

While a data board is described above, the system 100 can also projectinformation onto other surfaces or objects. For example, information canbe projected onto an observation source (not shown), such as a surgicalmicroscope, glasses, loupes, and so forth that are worn or used by theuser. The unique identifier 112 can be attached to a patient drape oranother location relative to the patient such that patient positionand/or orientation relative to the system 100 can be defined. The inputdetection module 140 can identify a user or a portion of a user inimages captured by the camera 104 to determine a position of the user'shands or surgical tools being used during the procedure, as well as theposition of the patient and other components, e.g., a data board ordrape that may have information projected thereon. The system 100 candetermine the relative position and/or orientation of the patient withrespect to these other components and the graphical user interfacemodule 142 can project images or other data onto the observation sourceinstead of, or in addition to, a substrate such as the data board 106,to synchronize the image with the anatomy of the patient. It will beappreciated that the projected image can be superimposed on top of apatient and, in some embodiments, the projected image can be transparentsuch that the patient can be seen through the observation source.Further, the projected image can be displayed within the user's field ofview without being directly in front of the user or overlaid on thepatient. In some embodiments, information, such as warnings, errormessages, etc., can be projected throughout the surgical site viapatterns, as well as other alerts, sounds, flashing lights, etc., toensure that users are sufficiently notified. These warnings can also beprojected onto the data board 106 in greater detail to notify users ofthe nature of the error, warning, etc.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can receive inputs from a surgicalnavigation system and can project navigation feedback onto an instrumentbeing used by the surgeon. For example, the system can project a firstindicator, e.g., a green circle, onto the instrument when the instrumentis aligned with a predetermined target trajectory. The system canproject a second indicator, e.g., a red letter ‘X’, onto the instrumentwhen the instrument deviates from the predetermined target trajectory.The system can project an indicator, e.g., an arrow or triangle, ontothe instrument to indicate the current tip direction or orientation ofthe instrument. The above-described indicators can be projected onto ahandle of the instrument, a shaft of the instrument, or any otherportion of the instrument. While a separate surgical navigation systemis described above, the system 100 can also include an integratednavigation system, or can receive inputs from other patient referencesources.

In some embodiments, the system 100 can be used to execute a procedurethat was pre-planned. For example, in the surgical setting, the system100 can be connected to a pre-operative planning software, e.g.,Surgimap, while outside of the working environment to map out a plan ofthe procedure to be performed. The plan can then be projected onto thesubstrate 106 in the working environment to perform the procedure. Somenon-limiting examples of system uses can include setting a predeterminedtrajectory of surgical tools, correction of trajectory of surgicaltools, tabulation of surgical tools used, and so forth. In someembodiments, the plan can include a checklist that the system 100 canproject onto the substrate 106 to allow the user to check off andadvance through the items of the checklist using the touch and/or handgestures discussed above.

The system 100 can project the output of a surgical camera, such as anendoscope or a miniaturized camera disposed in a working channel of asurgical access device, onto the data board. The data board 106 can alsoshow a navigation screen for the camera to inform the user about thelocation of the camera relative to the working channel. The system 100can augment the displayed camera feed, as well as the feed derived fromintegrated equipment, for example by projecting a colored highlightingor other indicator over nerves or other delicate structures detected inthe camera feed or by projecting a measurement scale over the camerafeed. In some embodiments, the data board 106 can display EKG or ECGand/or other neuro-monitoring measurements taken by the system, alongwith anything else that can be similarly displayed on a tablet computeror other display. It will be appreciated that the system 100 can useposition and/or orientation information of the data board 106 and thepatient to ensure that the image is adjusted such that a virtual anatomyof the patient aligns with the physical anatomy of the patient.

Physical movement of the data board by the user can be interpreted as auser input gesture. For example, the data board can work like a clippingplane, with movement of the data board sectioning 3-D data displayed onthe data board in accordance with said movement. FIGS. 6A-6D illustratean example in which a data board 106 is moved relative to a patient 146to change a plane of visualization 148 displayed on the data board(e.g., a plane of visualization within a 3-D data model of the patient).As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, adjusting the position of the data board106 relative to the patient 146 can be effective to adjust the positionof the plane of visualization 148 by a proportional or equal amount. Forexample, as indicated by the arrows, moving the data board 106 towardsthe patient 146 can cause the plane of visualization 148 to move deeperinto the patient). Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, adjusting theorientation of the data board 106 relative to the patient 146 can beeffective to adjust the orientation of the plane of visualization 148 bya proportional or equal amount. For example, as indicated by the arrows,tilting one side of the data board 106 towards the patient 146 can causethe plane of visualization 148 to also tilt.

In applications where a tablet computer may be used, the data board canprovide a complete replacement for the tablet computer, eliminating theneed to place electronics or sensitive components within the workingenvironment. In embodiments that include a tablet computer, the tabletcomputer can be bagged or wrapped in a sterile drape or cover to be usedin the working environment. A user can interact with the tablet in theworking environment to perform surgical tasks in a manner similar to howthe user can interact with a passive data board, as described above. Thesystem can track the tablet computer in order to change the perspectiveof displayed patient anatomy, track surgical tools, and so forth. Uponcompletion of the procedure, the tablet computer can be removed from theworking environment, sterilized, and reused, if necessary.

In embodiments that utilize a passive data board, the system 100 canprovide an interactive touch screen user interface in a workingenvironment without necessarily having to place any electronics in theworking environment.

The system 100 can provide a single user interface for interacting withmany disparate systems that may be used in connection with a workflowperformed in the working environment. In the case of a surgicaloperating room, a user can interact with many different systems withinthe sterile field or outside the sterile field, all through the databoard. The data board can be used to display pre-operative films, makemeasurements on a PACS, adjust settings of devices outside of thesterile field, interact with surgical navigation systems and the userinterfaces thereof, position display of digital information in directproximity to a patient or within surgeon line of sight, and so forth.

It should be noted that any ordering of method steps expressed orimplied in the description above or in the accompanying drawings is notto be construed as limiting the disclosed methods to performing thesteps in that order. Rather, the various steps of each of the methodsdisclosed herein can be performed in any of a variety of sequences. Inaddition, as the described methods are merely exemplary embodiments,various other methods that include additional steps or include fewersteps are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The devices disclosed herein can be constructed from any of a variety ofknown materials. Exemplary materials include those which are suitablefor use in surgical applications, including metals such as stainlesssteel, titanium, nickel, cobalt-chromium, or alloys and combinationsthereof, polymers such as PEEK, ceramics, carbon fiber, and so forth.The various components of the devices disclosed herein can be rigid orflexible. One or more components or portions of the device can be formedfrom a radiopaque material to facilitate visualization under fluoroscopyand other imaging techniques, or from a radiolucent material so as notto interfere with visualization of other structures. Exemplaryradiolucent materials include carbon fiber and high-strength polymers.

The devices and methods disclosed herein can be used inminimally-invasive surgery and/or open surgery. While the devices andmethods disclosed herein are generally described in the context ofspinal surgery on a human patient, it will be appreciated that themethods and devices disclosed herein can be used in any type of surgeryon a human or animal subject, in non-surgical applications, onnon-living objects, and so forth.

Although specific embodiments are described above, it should beunderstood that numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scopeof the concepts described.

1.-21. (canceled)
 22. A user interface method, comprising: capturing oneor more images of a working environment in which a substrate isdisposed; detecting the substrate in one or more of the images;determining a position and orientation of the substrate within theworking environment; controlling a projector to project an image ontothe substrate; and tracking movement of the substrate within the workingenvironment such that the image is projected onto the substratethroughout its movement; wherein the image is adjusted in coordinationwith the determined position and orientation of the substrate such thatthe image compensates for any tilt or rotation of the substrate relativeto the projector.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprisingshifting the position and orientation of the projected imaged based onmovement of the substrate within the working environment.
 24. The methodof claim 22, wherein the position and orientation of the substrate istracked substantially in real-time.
 25. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising detecting one or more objects within the captured image anddetermining from a position and orientation of the object how the objectinteracts with the projected image.
 26. The method of claim 25, whereinthe one or more objects includes a user, a portion of a user, a surgicalinstrument, a surgical implant, or a stylus.
 27. The method of claim 25,further comprising adjusting the image or displaying a new image basedon the interaction with the image.
 28. The method of claim 25, whereininteraction with the substrate controls one or more pieces of controlledequipment in a manner that corresponds with interaction with thesubstrate.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the interaction adjustssettings of one or more instruments in the working environment.
 30. Themethod of claim 22, further comprising positioning the substrate over anitem of interest in the working environment such that the imageprojected onto the substrate allows for active pass-through viewing ofthe substrate to observe the item of interest through the substrate. 31.The method of claim 22, further comprising scanning a unique identifierwithin the captured image to retrieve information that corresponds tothe unique identifier, and displaying the information on the substrate.32. The method of claim 31, further comprising linking the capturedimage with the unique identifier.
 33. The method of claim 31, whereinthe information includes patient name, patient age, patient sex, patientdate of birth, patient ID, pre-operative scans, CT, MR, X-ray, or PETimages, PACS images, pre-operative plans, surgical inventory lists,surgical checklists or technique guides.
 34. The method of claim 22,further comprising projecting static interface elements onto thesubstrate to interact with the substrate.
 35. The method of claim 22,wherein the image is adjusted based on a perspective of a user.
 36. Themethod of claim 35, further comprising tracking movement of eyes of auser to change a perspective of the image projected onto the substratebased on a direction of the user's gaze.
 37. The method of claim 22,further comprising setting a predetermined trajectory and projecting oneor more indicators to determine whether the surgical instrument isdisposed along the predetermined trajectory.
 38. The method of claim 22,wherein the projected image is an indicator as to whether the surgicalinstrument or a portion thereof, or an implant connected thereto, isadjacent to or within a delineated proximity to a predetermined surgicalsite.
 39. The method of claim 22, further comprising moving thesubstrate in one or more directions to section three-dimensional datadisplaced on the substrate in accordance with the one or more directionsto change a plane of visualization displayed on the substrate.
 40. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the substrate is devoid of electronics.